It’s not too late to save UK nature, but we must act now, says the coalition of wildlife and research organisations behind the State of Nature 2016 report, which was published last month. Following on from the groundbreaking State of Nature report in 2013, 53 wildlife organisations have pooled their expertise to collate an updated picture of the status of our native species.
Of the 8,000 species assessed, more than one in ten (1,199 species) are in danger of extinction in the UK. Fifty-six per cent of the species studied have declined since 1970, and there is little evidence to suggest that the rate of loss is slowing down.
The report reveals that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world – of the 218 countries assessed, we ranked 189th. We’re at risk of losing species like kingfishers, hedgehogs, dormice and turtle doves. Plant species are under even greater threat, with 19% of plant species studied under threat of extinction. The report concludes that ‘policy-driven’ intensification of agriculture has had the biggest negative impact on wildlife.
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Launching the report, Sir David Attenborough said, “The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before.
“The rallying call issued after the State of Nature report in 2013 has promoted exciting and innovative conservation projects. Landscapes are being restored, special places defended, struggling species being saved and brought back. But we need to build significantly on this progress if we are to provide a bright future for nature and for people.”
Read the infographic summarising the report’s main findings – or the report itself – and find out what you can do to help at http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/stateofnature16
